no power
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Auburn ca
no power
When I turn the key my car looses total power, no lights nothing at all. If i wait a couple of minutes power comes back. Sometimes it starts and somtines it looses power agian? :confused:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
From: Jupiter Florida
Re: no power (jtfrog)
I've seen bad battery connections do this, corroded connections or cables can effectively become a resistor which heats up and becomes an open circuit. Once it cools/contracts/whatever it conducts again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: no power (jtfrog)
How old is the battery? Could have some dead cells. What is the voltage with the key off? With the key on?
Are you sure the alternator is supplying enough current to charge the battery.
Is the belt slipping? How old is your serpentine belt? Is the tensioner supplying enough tension?
These are the simple things.
Are you sure the alternator is supplying enough current to charge the battery.
Is the belt slipping? How old is your serpentine belt? Is the tensioner supplying enough tension?
These are the simple things.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
From: Jupiter Florida
Re: no power (John Row)
How old is the battery? Could have some dead cells.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: no power (jtfrog)
I'd start with a new battery. It's easy to replace and only costs you $40-$60. When you are trouble shooting electrical problems, you need to know where you are starting. It may not fix the problem, but it does eliminate an unknown.
If don't want to do the battery, find a good automotive electrical shop, take the battery and the alternator to them for testing. That'll probably cost you $20-$25.
Even if the terminals look clean, pull them and clean them anyway. While they are off the battery, be sure the connection to the starter is tight. It's one thing to put out voltage, it's another to actually move the necessary amps.
I don't know where your grounds are, but follow the wires and make sure they are tight.
If don't want to do the battery, find a good automotive electrical shop, take the battery and the alternator to them for testing. That'll probably cost you $20-$25.
Even if the terminals look clean, pull them and clean them anyway. While they are off the battery, be sure the connection to the starter is tight. It's one thing to put out voltage, it's another to actually move the necessary amps.
I don't know where your grounds are, but follow the wires and make sure they are tight.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: no power (jtfrog)
No personal experience with them. Some people love them, some people hate them.
It's not likely that loose plates are a problem, but I suppose it could still be bad. They are expensive, so maybe have it checked before tossing it.
It's not likely that loose plates are a problem, but I suppose it could still be bad. They are expensive, so maybe have it checked before tossing it.
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: no power (jtfrog)
Clean and tighten your battery cables.
There is a ground running to the frame under the battery (actually more under the brake booster) that will corrode and lose contact. Clean that up if the terminal clean doesn't fix the problem. Note: You will have to remove the battery and the battery box to get to this ground.
There is a ground running to the frame under the battery (actually more under the brake booster) that will corrode and lose contact. Clean that up if the terminal clean doesn't fix the problem. Note: You will have to remove the battery and the battery box to get to this ground.